to support the launch and implementation of concrete, cross-border cooperation initiatives between Member States in the Northern European Atlantic (Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast), the Western Mediterranean (including Malta) and the Eastern Mediterranean (Adriatic, Ionian and Cyprus)

The objective of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORAC-SA) is to provide scientific, technical and logistical support to the European Commission in developing and implementing trans-Atlantic Marine Research Cooperation between the European Union, the United States of America and Canada.

A workshop was held in Horta, Azores, 1-3 June 2015 in order to identify elements for a strategic Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for deep seabed mineral exploration and exploitation along the Atlantic in the international seabed Area

The objective of the workshop is to draw recommendations to the Commission on the process and content required to monitor the blue economy in the Atlantic area, and if possible the implementation of the action plan